Sick of Buying Pickleball Paddles You Hate? We Found 5 Places Across the US Where You Can Demo All the Top Brands First

Quick Answer:

Here is a quick summary of places across the US where you can demo pickleball paddles before buying:

PickleballGalaxy.com has a paddle demo program available for $30. You can demo 2 paddles of your choice for up to 7 days. They will ship the paddles to you and include a prepaid return shipping label. This program is only available for addresses within the continental US.
Tennis-Point offers a paddle demo program for $30 where you can demo up to 3 paddles. They will ship the paddles to your door and include return shipping back to them. This is available anywhere in the continental US.
GearboxSports.com has a demo program for a $20 shipping fee where they will send you paddles to demo for a week. They provide a UPS return label to send them back. This is available anywhere in the continental US.
Some local retailers like CourtsideTennis.com offer in-store demo programs. You can demo 3 paddles at a time for $25 for 30 days and exchange paddles anytime.
The Pickleball Exchange offers demo sessions by appointment at their store where you can try many paddles. Sessions are usually 15-20 minutes per person.

Buying a new pickleball paddle can be a frustrating experience. With so many brands and models to choose from, it’s hard to know which paddle will fit your playing style and skill level without testing it out first. Nothing is worse than dropping $100+ on a new paddle, only to discover it feels awkward and uncomfortable when you play.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could test out paddles before committing to a purchase? Well, the good news is there are now several options across the US that allow you to demo pickleball paddles. Keep reading to learn about national retailers, local pro shops, and other places that offer paddle demo programs.

What Is a Pickleball Paddle Demo Program?

A pickleball paddle demo program allows you to borrow one or more paddles for a short trial period before deciding whether to buy. Retailers and pro shops provide this service to help customers find the right paddle without wasting money on paddles that end up feeling wrong.

Here’s how most demo programs work:

Select Paddles: You pick 1-3 paddles you want to demo from the retailer’s selection. Popular brands like Selkirk, ONIX, Gamma, Paddletek, Engage, and Franklin are usually available.
Pay Small Fee: There is typically a fee of $20-$30 to demo paddles, which covers the shipping costs.
Receive Paddles: The retailer ships the paddles directly to your door. Demo periods range from 7-30 days depending on the company.
Test Paddles: You get to use the paddles for practices, games, tournaments, etc. This gives you a feel for power, control, grip, comfort, and other aspects.
Return Paddles: Send the paddles back using the provided prepaid shipping label. No purchase is required, unless you decide you love a paddle and want to buy it.

Demo programs allow you to experiment with different paddle shapes, weights, grips, materials, and more. Before dropping big bucks on a paddle, it’s wise to demo options from different brands to find your ideal match.

National Retailers Offering Pickleball Paddle Demos

Several large online retailers across the US now provide pickleball paddle demo programs. Their broad paddle selections and prepaid shipping make it easy to test out the most popular paddle models on the market.

PickleballGalaxy.com

For a $30 fee, PickleballGalaxy.com allows you to demo up to 2 paddles for a 7 day trial period. You can select from their entire inventory of paddles, which covers all the major brands.

Once you pick 2 demo paddles and pay the fee, they will ship the paddles directly to your door via UPS ground shipping. They provide a prepaid UPS return shipping label so you can easily send the paddles back after your demo.

This demo program is a great way to compare paddles side-by-side before investing in your favorite. PickleballGalaxy.com only offers demos within the 48 continental United States. If you are in Hawaii or Alaska, you will need to find a local retailer instead.

Tennis-Point

Tennis-Point is another online retailer that provides a paddle demo program. For $30, you can select up to 3 paddles to demo for 7 days. They carry all the big brands like Selkirk, Franklin, Onix, Engage, HEAD, and more.

After you pick your 3 paddles and pay the fee, Tennis-Point will ship them via UPS. They include a UPS return shipping label so you can easily send them back after testing them out.

One benefit of choosing Tennis-Point is they have brick-and-mortar retail stores in Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Texas, and Washington. So if you live near one of their stores, you can save on shipping fees by picking up/dropping off paddles in person.

For all other locations in the continental US, you can utilize their paddle demo program to try before you buy. It’s a low-risk way to experiment with top pickleball paddle models.

Gearbox Sports

Another option is the paddle demo program from Gearbox Sports. For a flat fee of $20, they will ship you up to 3 paddles from brands like Selkirk, Gamma, Onix, Paddletek, Prolite, Engage, HEAD, and more.

The trial period is 1 week. Gearbox Sports provides a UPS return shipping label so you can send the paddles back after testing them out. This program is available to all addresses within the continental US.

Gearbox Sports has been providing pickleball paddle demos for over 5 years. Their program is one of the most affordable options to experiment with top paddle models before purchasing. Give a few different paddles a try to see which one best matches your game.

Local Pro Shops Offering In-Store Demos

In addition to national online retailers, some local pro shops and specialty stores offer in-store pickleball paddle demos. The benefit of demoing locally is you don’t have to wait for shipping and can get instant access to paddles.

Here are a few local retailers that provide paddle demo programs:

Courtside Tennis – Midwest US

Courtside Tennis has several locations across the Midwest in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. At each store, you can pay a $25 fee to demo up to 3 paddles for a 30 day period.

You can swing by and pick out the paddles you want to demo. Take them home to use for practices, games, and tournaments for a month. Then return to the store anytime during the 30 days to exchange for different paddles if you want to keep experimenting.

If you fall in love with a certain paddle during the demo, you can purchase it and Courtside Tennis will deduct the $25 fee from the price. This gives you flexibility to try before you buy.

The Pickleball Exchange – Wyoming

Based in Casper, Wyoming, The Pickleball Exchange offers demo sessions by appointment at their retail store. You can schedule a 15-20 minute session to test out as many paddles as possible from brands like Selkirk, Franklin, Gamma, Onix, Paddletek, and more.

The benefit of The Pickleball Exchange’s demos is getting to talk to knowledgeable staff who can make recommendations based on your playing style, skill level, grip type, and other factors. They have all the latest paddles in stock, so you can get hands-on with all the top models before deciding what to buy.

BreakAway Sports Gear – California

BreakAway Sports Gear in Glendale, California provides paddle demos in their store. You can borrow paddles made by Selkirk, Franklin, Gamma, Onix, and other leading brands for a period of 7-10 days.

They offer advice to help you select the right demo paddles to trial based on your needs as a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player. After testing paddles at home, you can return to the store and purchase whichever model felt best.

Testing paddles first before buying helps ensure you don’t waste money on an uncomfortable paddle. BreakAway Sports Gear has a wide selection of the most popular pickleball paddle brands in stock.

Other Places to Demo Pickleball Paddles

If you don’t live near one of the retailers mentioned already, there are a few other avenues to test out paddles before committing to one.

Local Pickleball Meetup Groups

Joining a local pickleball meetup group in your city can provide opportunities to demo paddles owned by other players in the group. You may find some members who own multiple paddles are willing to let you try theirs out during play.

While not as structured as a formal demo program, this can still give you exposure to popular paddle models before buying your own. You can get a personalized review from the owner on pros/cons too.

Pickleball Clinics & Camps

Attending a 1-3 day pickleball clinic or multi-day camp can come with opportunities to demo paddles. As part of their program, some will provide demo paddles from leading brands for participants to test during drills, games, and instruction.

For example, the Chicken N Pickle pickleball camps allow campers to experiment with paddles from Selkirk, Franklin, Onix, and others. You can try different options each day of camp to compare.

Pickleball Retail Booths

Retail booths at major pickleball tournaments often have paddles you can demo onsite. For instance, vendors at the USAPA National Championships will let you test paddles in their tent during the event before deciding whether to purchase.

Paddle manufacturers like Selkirk and others also set up booths at big tournaments. You may be able to demo their newest paddle models right on the courts before or after your matches.

Ask vendors and brand reps at booths if they offer paddle demos to see if you can try before buying.

Key Benefits of Demoing a Pickleball Paddle First

Demoing a pickleball paddle prior to purchasing has many advantages:

Avoid buyer’s remorse – Trying a paddle first prevents wasted money on a model you end up disliking after it’s too late.
Find your perfect match – Demoing paddles from different brands allows you to hone in on your ideal weight, grip size, shape, and feel.
Compare models side-by-side – Testing 2-3 paddles at once lets you experience the subtle differences to determine your favorite.
Improve your game – A better-matched paddle can enhance your skills, confidence, and enjoyment on the court.
Receive expert advice – Retailers and other pickleball players can provide guidance to help you select ideal demo options.
Demo the latest models – Try out new paddle technologies and designs before competitors.
Convenience – Demo programs ship right to your home so you can test paddles on your own time.
Peace of mind – You can swing freely during demos knowing you’re not stuck with a paddle if you dislike it.
No long-term commitment – Demo periods last just days or weeks, so you aren’t tied to any paddle for long before exchanging.

Paddle demos allow you to experiment without commitment. Don’t settle for the wrong paddle – take advantage of demo programs so you can find your ideal match.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pickleball Paddle Demos

How much does it cost to demo pickleball paddles?

The fees for most paddle demo programs range from $20-$30. This covers the retailer’s shipping costs to send you the paddles and get them back. Local stores may charge slightly less for in-store demos without shipping.

How long do I get to demo paddles?

Demo periods vary but usually range between 7-30 days. One week is typical for online retailers while local stores may allow 2-4 weeks. This gives adequate time to test paddles in practices and games.

How many paddles can I demo at once?

Most retailers allow demoing 2-3 paddles at a time. Comparing several models side-by-side helps identify subtle differences between paddles that best match your needs.

Can I demo any brand or model of paddle?

retailers limit demo selections to popular paddle models they have in stock. But most carry all the leading national brands like Selkirk, Franklin, Gamma, Onix, Paddletek, etc.

Where do I return demo paddles when I’m done?

For online demo programs, retailers provide prepaid shipping labels so you can conveniently return paddles by dropping them off with UPS or USPS. For in-store demos, simply bring paddles back to the retail location when the trial period ends.

What if I love a demo paddle and want to keep it?

Many retailers will deduct the demo fee from the paddle’s purchase price if you decide to buy it. This makes the demo program essentially free if it helps you find a paddle to purchase.

Can I demo paddles if I live outside the continental US?

Unfortunately most online demo programs only ship to the lower 48 states. If you live in Hawaii, Alaska, or elsewhere you may need to contact local retailers about trying paddles in person before buying.

What if I damage a demo paddle?

Always read the demo agreement carefully, as you may be responsible for damages beyond normal wear-and-tear. Avoid abusing paddles; handle them with care during the trial.

Don’t Waste Money – Demo Your Next Pickleball Paddle

Finding the right pickleball paddle is crucial for maximizing your skills and enjoyment of the sport. But with so many brands and styles available today, it’s nearly impossible to know what will work best without testing options first.

Taking advantage of paddle demo programs from national retailers, local shops, camps, and other sources allows you to try before you buy. Experiment with different brands, weights, shapes, grips, and materials to hone in on your ideal match.

Demoing paddles first helps ensure you don’t end up with uncomfortable buyer’s remorse after spending $100+ on a paddle you end up hating. Test drive paddles for your playing style and arm so you can find the best fit.

So don’t waste money on disappointments – take our advice and demo your next pickleball paddle first! Have you used any of these pickleball paddle demo programs before? Let us know your experiences in the comments.

References:

Also Read: